Andy Murray replaces Adidas in signing major new deal with Under Armour

Under Armour has announced the addition of professional tennis player Andy Murray to its roster of world championship athletes.

The new contract replaces Murray's previous five year sponsorship deal with Adidas, which was estimated to be worth £3 million a year.

The announcement was not entirely unexpected - Murray had been photographed wearing what appeared to be an Under Armour T-shirt whilst posing with a fan in Key Biscayne in mid-December.

As part of this new four-year partnership, Murray will wear Under Armour apparel, footwear, and accessories and will be featured in marketing campaigns, will participate in global training and tennis activations, and will make appearances for the brand beginning this month.

Currently ranked number six in the world, Murray is a dominant figure and is one of the most accomplished names in the sport. In July 2013, he became the first British male in seventy-seven years to win the coveted Wimbledon Championships in London. Murray is the 2012 US Open Champion and won a gold medal in the 2012 Olympic Games.

"I am very honoured and excited to be joining Team Under Armour and to help them tell their story globally", said Murray. "They are committed to providing innovative apparel, accessories, and footwear, with an unmatched focus on training and performance".

Murray broke into the Top 100 in 2005 and won his first career title in 2006. Now with thirty-one career titles, he is commonly considered a top contender in Grand Slam tournaments, with a very large fan base, especially in the UK.

"Signing Andy is really a special moment for the brand, as we continue to elevate and diversify our athlete roster and expand our international presence", said Ryan Kuehl, Under Armour's Senior Category Director, Global Golf and Tennis. "Andy's remarkable character, competitive spirit and unmatched ability make him the perfect fit for our family".

Murray's manager, Matt Gentry, added: "Andy is very committed and focused when it comes to training and preparation, so the new partnership with Under Armour is an exciting and ideal match. Athlete performance and product innovation are the brand's core pillars, which will have strong benefits for Andy and the team in 2015 and beyond".

Murray joins an Under Armour roster of world-class athletes including Lindsey Vonn, Tom Brady, Cam Newton, Stephen Curry, Jordan Spieth and fellow tennis player Sloane Stephens.

Picture credit: By Carine06 from UK (Andy Murray) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons